Background:
Rice production in Missouri has steadily increased since it was
first introduced (ca. 1911) in Stoddard county. The ten southeastern
counties which grow rice are havesting approximately 100,000 acres/yr.
Southeast Missouri represents the northern extremity of the southern rice
production belt and presents unique production challenges for producers.
The increase in rice production has increased the demand for local research
and demonstration efforts which address the specific needs of area
producers. The Missouri Rice Farm was established in 1991 in response to
the growing need for locally derived rice production information.
The purchase of the farm could not have been accomplished without the Missouri rice growers commitment to supporting rice marketing and research. The rice farm was purchased through Missouri's portion of the rice grower checkoff program funds. The farm was purchased by the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council, who assume all financial decisions such as operating expenses, equipment purchases and land improvement. The Council is also proprietor of the estate and responsible for legal matters. University researchers and extension personnel will be responsible for managing research on the farm.
Design:
The Missouri Rice Farm is located in Dunklin county on Route J,
approximately nine miles west of Malden. The 30 acre track of land has
been designed to accommodate multiple research activities. The original
design divided the farm into four equal basins, each approximately six
acres in area. In 1995, each of these four basins were again subdivided
in half to furnish eight small basins Each basin now has a permanent burm
which allows easy access to any experimental range. A 10 acre tract of
land which joins the research farm was leased and graded for additional
rice experiments in 1996. A schematic diagram of the Missouri Rice Farm,
which illustrates both the field design and slopes are provided in
Figure 1.
Capital Improvements:
Efforts continued to improve and develop the farm into a quality
rice research station. An additional 10 acres of land, which joins the
research farm was leased and graded for rice production. The 10 acre lot
was subdivided into four basins. Each of these four basins are
approximately 2 acres in area and possess a range in slope from 0 - 0.15
of 1%. An additional improvement involved construction and installation
of steel drainage pipe to provide better control of water on research test.
Field Day:
The sixth annual Missouri Rice Farm Field Day was held on
September 19, 1996. Approximately 175 individuals were present to visit
the research farm and attend the research tours. Field Day tours included
such topics as weed and disease identification and control, rice variety
performance, insect and insecticide trial updates, waterfowl incentive
programs in rice, rice computer modeling, global positioning systems,
transgenic rice improvements, soil fertility studies, and the rice market
outlook.
Student Internship Program:
The student internship program at the MO Rice Farm has now been
in existance for five research seasons. Students are provided the
opportunity to learn aspects of rice production practices through
practical work experience and earn college credit.
The University Delta Center has played an instrumental role in coordinating and organizing the daily operations of the intern program. The 1996 Missouri Rice Farm summer interns were Tim Griffen of Southeast Missouri State University and Pat Hobbs of Three Rivers Community College.
-------------------------------------------------- Year Student Institution -------------------------------------------------- 1992 Brian Bates Southeast Missouri Charles Stokes Southeast Missouri 1993 Brett Roper Southeast Missouri John Wilson Southeast Missouri 1994 Chad Young Southeast Missouri Matt Craig Southeast Missouri 1995 Cody Hendley Southeast Missouri Gary Wheeler Murray State 1996 Tim Griffen Southeast Missouri Pat Hobbs Three Rivers CC --------------------------------------------------
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the Missouri Rice Farm.